Full Length Research Paper
Donald Peters
Abstract
The use of rivers for various purposes has resulted in their deterioration. Water quality involves integrating chemical and biological monitoring methods to evaluate the negative potential human health impact. Water samples from river Pompom in the vicinity of the Nigerian iron ore deposit at Itakpe, Nigeria, were analyzed for pH, turbidity, odour, conductivity, total suspended matter, total dissolved solid, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn to determine its suitability for drinking. Water samples were digested with HNO3 and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy technique was used for the determination of concentration level of heavy metals while the physicochemical parameters were determined by gravimetric and titrimetric methods. Comparing the results obtained with Nigeria (Federal Environmental Protection Agency, FEPA) and WHO permissible guidelines for drinking water the concentration of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were found to be within safe limits. The pH, TDS and conductivity were found to be within the WHO safe limits of drinking water. Microbiological characteristics and element speciation are recommended for further quality assessment in the study area.